up in an
airplane."

"I'm sorry, Bet. I can't do it this time. Not yet," he answered.

Bet looked disappointed. "Oh it's all right, Dad, I won't whimper.
I've had a wonderful time this summer."

"And what's more, you will have your chance this year."

"Oh, what do you mean, Dad?"

"Up at Rockhill School, where you are going this winter, they have a
class in aviation for the girls," said her father.

"Do you mean it? Is it really true? Will you let me learn to fly?"

"Yes daughter, I want you to. I believe in modern sports for young
people. It's a great game and the earlier you get into it, the more
chance you have of becoming an expert."

"Dad, you're wonderful!" exclaimed Bet.

With this promise Bet was satisfied and not unhappy when her father and
the boys left the next day for Benito, where the airplane was guarded
in a barn.

In fact Bet was too busy during the next few days to be unhappy. The
girls were sorting over all the collections they had made in the hills.
It would have needed a special train if Bet had taken all the things
she had brought to the ranch so it was necessary for her to go over the
lot and take only the treasures that she could not give up.

"You'd better get an old trunk that's out in the garage and fill it up.
Then we can send it by express," suggested Judge Breckenridge.

But Bet objected. "Some of my things are too precious to put in that
trunk," she said.

"For instance, what?" asked Kit.

"My arrowheads and my turquoise specimens. I'll carry them in my small
suitcase. The ore samples, from those copper claims are heavy. They
can go in the trunk. And what say we put our hiking and riding shoes
in that."

"Sure, that's an idea! All the heavy things that we don't care for can
go into the old trunk."

Judge Breckenridge took the small casket of treasure in his car. He
started out a full hour before the others, as he still felt the
necessity of driving slowly with his invalid wife. The genial little
professor entertained her on the way with details of his village.

Bet sighed as the last good-bye was said and she settled down in the
car.

"We've had a marvelous time! We never dreamed we'd have such an
adventure."

"Maybe it's just as well we couldn't forsee the struggle with Kie Wicks
over that treasure," Shirley said with a happy smile. "Isn't it good
to win out, no matter what you are doing?"

"Yes, we have the treasure and had the fun of the conte